Adopt an Angel ?

[msmama]

So I adopted an angel from the Salvation Army. A 2 year old boy. They ask for Toys which I've got covered, but for clothes they ask for size 2T.

I have a 2 year old myself and I *always* buy up a size - I figure he gets more use out of it (at least shirts wise, pants I buy the right size).

Is it...wrong...to take their suggested sizes and ignore it? I realize he could be small for his age, but I just have a hard time buying a 2T coat for a 2 year old when I could buy a 3T and he could wear it for 2 years.

Am I over thinking this? What would you do?

 

[Feistygirl916]

I would buy the size they wrote on it... It could be written like that for numerous reasons, but if you pull a tag off a giving tree and that's what they ask for, then get them what they need, not what you think they need. My DD is 7 and she still wears a 6/6x in some things.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree to buy the size requested. DS wore a 18 mo at 2. You can aways look for shirts and things that say 2-4 XS etc but if he is really small they may be too little and then outgrown before next winter.

 

[MSSANDRA]

also look for items that allow some growth room like elastic pants and overalls.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

My DS is 20 months and while he was pretty high on the growth charts in the beginning he is now wearing 18 months and might be comfortable in 24 months sometime in the spring. 24M is big on him and 2t is bigger than 24 months so that might last the person even longer...I agree get whats on the tag And it is wonderful for you to adopt a angel It is a GREAT cause

 

[dclfun]

I would also get what size they asked for- perhaps they already considered getting more use out of the coat by sizing up a bit. I think it's great that they asked for clothing as most people can go to Toys for Tots or other giveaways and find a toy, esp. for a 2 year old ( and I know you'd planned to get a toy) but this child will also be gifted with a necessity thanks to your generosity.--Kathy

 

[prncess674]

Many times younger children on the Angel Tree are phantom kids. These organizations will always have plenty of last minute parents and kids show up closer to Christmas looking for help so they fill out several very generic Angel Tree tags with typical kid stuff. Sure you hope that your toy and clothes goes to that child, but in reality your toy may go to one kid and your clothes may go to the other. It is unfortunate that so many pick a young child off the tree and the older kid tags lay all holiday season. These orgs stack the deck with young kids because they know it is a great time to collect new unused toys and clothes. Eventually the items will go to a deserving child it may not be the specific child you think you are donating to.

 

[southern_redhead]

Many times younger children on the Angel Tree are phantom kids. These organizations will always have plenty of last minute parents and kids show up closer to Christmas looking for help so they fill out several very generic Angel Tree tags with typical kid stuff. Sure you hope that your toy and clothes goes to that child, but in reality your toy may go to one kid and your clothes may go to the other. It is unfortunate that so many pick a young child off the tree and the older kid tags lay all holiday season. These orgs stack the deck with young kids because they know it is a great time to collect new unused toys and clothes. Eventually the items will go to a deserving child it may not be the specific child you think you are donating to.

That's interesting, I had never heard that but I guess it makes sense. We "adopted" a little girl in DD's class (DD won't know it and neither will the little girl.) She doesn't have a "wish list" because her parents told her early on that Santa didn't exist as they couldn't buy her presents. A couple of years ago we bought her and her brothers DS's and a couple of games each - we also did stockings and got them clothes and a smaller toy each. This year my mother and I are buying her another game (she does still have the DS), a Monster High doll and the book, a Zhu Zhu pet and an outfit and carrier, clothing, pajamas, and shoes. Her brothers are older now and will each get a $50 gift card. I will also fill a stocking with candy and hygiene items for each of them. I love the idea of an angel tree but just wanted to put out there to check with your local school - most guidance counselors or teachers can point you to a child that has a serious and known need - I do love seeing her come back from Christmas break excited to talk with the other kids about her presents

And, to the OP: Buy the size listed! My DS is 7 but if I filled out an Angel Tree card for him it would list his clothing size as 5 slim pants and 5/6 shirts as that is the size he wears (with room to grow.) He is tiny, if someone were to buy "up" based on his age it would literally be years before he could wear it!

 

[crossey]

It probably isn't going to a specific child. The Salvation Army where I live, just puts out tags of various ages and sizes and everything goes to a warehouse where it is all layed out and picked from when they need to fill an order. Tables filled with toys and tables filled with clothes that they choose things from when they need it.

Also, the families usually pick things up in mid-December so the items you are donating might not be used until next year. The donations that people will be picking up for their children this year have mostly come from last year's donations.

It kind of takes the magic out of it a bit to know this, but that's how it works here.

Something that they try to put with every order is socks so that is a great thing to donate. Even if someone couldn't afford to buy a whole outfit or toys for the kids, just a donation of a few things like socks, crayons, coloring books and small toys can be made without taking an angel from the tree. A lot more people might help out if they knew they could make small donations.
One year, I just had a few things like that and I asked if I could donate it to be put with another order and they said, "sure". They seemed happy to get it.
Not everyone can afford to go buy the big toys and clothes but most people can afford some socks or small things.

Candy cannot be used so that's not a good thing to include.

This is how it works around here with the Salvation Army. I don't know if every area is the same, it could be different where you live.

 

[dhardawa]

My son turned 3 in August and is wearing a 3T. If I bought him a 4T, he woudln't be able to wear it until next year because it would fall off of him or he'd be walking on the pants. My daughter is 11 and is just now fitting into size 10 clothes. Not all kids need to size up. If they say he wears a 2T, buy him a 2T and send gift receipts so they can exchange if they need a different size.